Multi-Country Train Travel

Train trips are back in fashion and we think they’re fantastic! They’re a great way to see the scenic countryside, and to easily move between multiple countries and destinations. Plus, they’re an adventure in themselves and eco-friendly! What more could you ask for?

In the U.S. we don’t have as extensive a passenger rail network as you’ll find in other parts of the world, so you might not be tuned in to the beauty of using train travel to your advantage while on vacation. If you have considered train travel, or if you know you’d like to see many countries in one adventure and aren’t sure how yet – this is the perfect beginner’s guide to multi-country train travel.

There are four main types of train travel, particularly in Europe. The first step to your multi-country adventure is figuring out which style of train trip you’d like to take!

Point-to-Point & Night Trains

Best For: Confident travelers or those working with a travel advisor. Flexible schedules or when you have a very specific list of places you want to see.

This is the most complex way to use trains, but also the most flexible. That is because you’re booking multiple specific trains to multiple specific places throughout your trip. You can decide exactly which cities you visit and when with this kind of train trip. This style is easiest when you have your friendly neighborhood travel advisor to help you (ahem – reach out here!).

You can piece your itinerary together by utilizing the local train websites, or your travel advisor can do it for you. On some legs of the trip, you may want to consider a night train. You’ll need to visit specific night-train companies like Nightjet or European Sleeper.

Utilizing night trains will not only save you the cost of a hotel – they’re an efficient way to travel if you’re short on time. Instead of spending a whole day of vacation traveling, you arrive at a new destination after a good night’s sleep!

Popular night train routes:


Munich, Germany – Bologna, Italy
Vienna, Austria – Rome, Italy
Salzburg, Austria – Florence, Italy


Brussels, Belgium – Prague, Czechia
Copenhagen, Denmark – Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm, Sweden – Oslo, Norway

Eurail Global Pass

Best For: Those who want to see as many places as possible in a shorter amount of time.

a red train traveling next to stunning blue lake through a mountainous valley in Switzerland

The Eurail Global Pass is another way to customize your train trip but with a bit more structure and regulation. It is essentially Interrailing for travelers living outside the EU. It lets you hop on and hop off the trains with an all-in-one ticket so you don’t have to buy a separate ticket for each leg of the journey. It’s important to note, however, that during peak times on popular routes you may want to pay extra for pre-assigned seats on certain trains.

There are several Pass options. From traveling every day within a given timeframe (i.e. each day of 2 weeks) to travel a certain number of days on a more flexible basis ( ie. Any 10 days within 2 months).

Popular Eurrail Routes:


European Capitals: London – Paris – Brussels – Amsterdam – Berlin – Prague – Vienna – Budapest – Belgrade – Sofia. (You can break this up into any section to hit just a few of these amazing cities.)

Food and drink adventure: San Sebastian – Barcelona -Lyon – Geneva -Bologna -Graz


Off the beaten path adventure: Helsinki – Tallinn – Riga – Vilnius – Warsaw – Krakow – Budapest

A mix of classic & new: Milan – Verona –
Venice – Trieste – Ljubljana – Zagreb.

Specialty Trains

Best For: Those who want a luxury train trip, where it’s as much about the journey as the destination.

These trains include our favorite luxury trains. They are an experience in and of themselves, and you can consider them a bit like a land cruise. Specialty trains are a single train with multiple stops or countries on its route.

The interior of a sleeping car in the Venice Simplon Orient Express train - couch, seating are and bed with dark polished wood and gold trim

These specialty trains include the Venice Simplon Orient Express. Which goes from Paris to Venice in one night ( a luxury sleeper),

The Eastern and Oriental Express which travels through Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. This unique train journeys through natural landscapes and parts of Southeast Asia that you rarely see in typical travel. The train is luxurious and there’s time to get off and explore at each stop.

And The Ghan, which travels across the continent of Australia from Adelaide to Darwin. A two-day mammoth journey through incredible landscapes.

Pre-Packaged Trips

Best If: You’ve never traveled outside the country before, or if you’re traveling in a large group.

The middle ground between Point-to-point and Specialty trains. Pre-packaged trips take different trains and have more flexibility a single special train, but they are still specific routes on specific dates. They’re a bit like your classic bus tour, only via rail.

There are several providers of these trips – which your travel advisor will work with. They pre-plan a route, hotels, and some activities for you so you don’t have to worry about any of the details. Sometimes they will have a guide who helps you every step of the way. And sometimes they are a bit more independent, without a guide but still with an assistance call line available.

a red train traveling through snowy mountains towards the matterhorn in Switzerland

Whether you choose an escorted tour with a guide or a pre-packaged tour on your own, you get the joy of traveling by train without worrying about multiple tickets, where you’re going next, or how you’re getting there. It’s all taken care of before you go.

The drawback of these kinds of trips is that they have specific dates and schedules already set. As with cruises and big bus tours, these trips have less flexibility and require you to fit with their itinerary instead of the other way around.

Popular pre-packaged trips:

London – Lille- Nimes- Valencia- Andalucia – Seville – Cordoba

Zurich -Lucerne – Interlaken – Zermatt


Rome – Venice – Salzburg – Munich

Madrid -Seville -Cordoba – Granada – Malaga – Barcelona

Zurich -St. Moritz – Zermatt -Basel



Which style of train travel appeals most to you? Once you decide the best style of travel for your perfect adventure – the rest falls into place! If you’re ready to enjoy an epic multi-country train adventure, let us know! We’re always here to help.

No Need to “Rough it” in the Rockies

Finding Luxury in the Canadian Rockies Pin
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The Canadian Rocky Mountains, particularly Banff, should be on any travel bucket list. Blue glacial lakes, snow-capped mountains, and an abundance of wildlife stretch across five national parks. The Rockies truly are that beautiful, and you’ll find Instagram-worthy vistas around every corner!

While visiting the area you can experience a whole range of activities, during all four seasons, and for all ages and skill levels. But the best part of visiting the Rockies is getting to enjoy true luxury and relaxation in such a breathtaking natural setting. 

Banff

One of the most popular parks, Banff is about a two-hour drive from Calgary and makes an excellent home base for a week in the Rockies.

Banff offers some of the best hiking trails (leading to awe-inspiring views), beautiful forests, and waterfalls.

[Photo Credit: Chris Rees via Unsplash]

Enjoy the view of huge snow-capped mountains and lush evergreen forest when you hikethe Canadian Rockies

You can paddle on the Bow River or Lake Minnewanka in your kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddle board. Go stargazing, take a boat cruise, or a gondola ride up to a spectacular panoramic observation deck, cafe, and restaurant.

after climbing up the rock face you can sit back an enjoy the stunning view of the Canadian Rockies

Whether you enjoy an easy stroll, a round of golf with a mountainous backdrop or scaling the side of a cliff, Banff has adventures for all levels.

[Photo Credit: Fairmont Hotels]

Banff Springs Hotel

And when you return from your outdoor adventures each evening? Kick off your boots, enjoy a hot soak and a gourmet meal in the “Castle of the Rockies”: The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.  Built in 1888 and modeled after a Scottish Castle, the Banff Springs Hotel is a destination in itself that combines luxury and history!

the Banff Springs Hotel of the Canadian Rockies in summer
the Banff Springs Hotel of the Canadian Rockies in summer[Photo Credit: Fairmont Hotels]
a bed with a view at the Banff Springs Hotel in the Canadian Rockies

Under the eaves of this impressive building, you’ll have picture-perfect views when you wake up in your luxurious bed.  Head out for an easy morning hike to the roaring waterfalls. Return to Banff for your choice from dozens of restaurants, each with delicious, locally inspired menus.

[Photo Credit: Fairmont Hotels]

Take the rest of the day to relax in their spa, or head to the concierge to look through their 26-page activities book! End your day chilling out on their front terrace, with the light cutting across the crevices of the huge mountains and dancing across the tops of the trees as you breathe the wonderfully fresh, crisp mountain air. 

Lake Louise

an areal view of Chateau Lake Louise Hotel and it's stunningly blue lake in the Canadian Rockies
[Photo Credit: Wenhao Ji via Unsplash]

If a lake view is more your idea of bliss, we recommend heading a bit further north to Lake Louise. And what better way to enjoy the lake than with a view from your balcony? The luxurious Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is a grand hotel situated right on the lake. It has been a luxury vacation destination since its opening in the 1890’s. Paddle on the stunning blue waters surrounded by mountain peaks or go ice skating in the winter!

In winter, you can also enjoy dog sled tours, sleigh rides, and skiing in the quintessential winter wonderland. Soft fluffy snow, evergreen trees, and hot chocolate by the fire waiting for you when you return.

[Photo Credit: Fairmont Hotels]

a horse-drawn sliegh ride set in the white fluffy snow, towering mountains and evergreen forest of the Canadian Rockies
horseback riding along the lake with a beautiful mountainous backdrop in the Canadian Rockies

Summer and Fall at Lake Louise are equally enticing. You can enjoy a variety of hiking and biking trails, horseback riding alongside the lake, and white water rafting.

[Photo Credit: Fairmont Hotels]

Wherever you look, amazing views and pampering service await your stay at Lake Louise. Staying here at the Fairmont saves you the hassle of trying to find lake-side parking, or even worse, having to park a few miles away!

Their many restaurants offer table-side views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. The interior is elegant and polished, calm and inviting. Picnic on the dock, or enjoy a glass of wine on the expansive verandas that the Fairmont offers.

This is taking your classic lake vacation to the next level of scenery and luxury.

[Photo Credit: Fairmont Hotels]

a dining room table with a view of the stunning blue waters and huge snow-capped mountains at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies

Getting There

While flying into Victoria or Calgary and renting a car to drive yourself up to the Rockies is always an option, one of the best ways to get to the Canadian Rockies is to take the train! Any of the two or three-day routes from Victoria into the mountains are the perfect way to fully enjoy the views and learn about the local wildlife without having to worry about car rentals or traffic.

the Rocky Mountaineer train winding its way next to a blue lake in the Canadian Rockies
[Photo Credit: Rocky Mountaineer]

The Rocky Mountaineer offers 360-degree views on your journey through lush forests, over deep river gorges, through mountain tunnels, and alongside blue lakes. You can travel from Victoria to Banff, Lake Louise or Jasper (with a stop or two along the way), then stay a few days in the destination before flying home. Or, consider making it a round-trip train extravaganza!

Any seat on the Rocky Mountaineer has stunning views, overhead windows, and access to an outdoor viewing platform. Splurging a little extra for their Goldleaf seats will give you complete 360-degree rounded domes so you don’t miss a thing. Both levels (silver and gold) have hosts to answers questions, tell you stories about the landscape, and point out the wildlife. 

[Photo Credit: Rocky Mountaineer]

the interior of the Rocky Mountaineer train with domed glass giving passengers a 360 degree view of the Canadian Rockies

The Rocky Mountaineer doesn’t travel at night so you won’t miss a single moment of the beautiful scenery. Instead, included in your trip, are stays in lovely hotels along the way. Taking the train ensures luxury throughout the journey — not just at the final destination. 


Conclusion

You shouldn’t have to choose between incredible outdoorsy experiences and luxurious relaxation. The Rocky Mountains offer the best of all worlds, bringing luxury into your journey, your stay, and your surroundings. While we can’t yet travel to Canada from the US (due to current COVID restrictions) advance planning for a bucket list trip like this is always recommended!

Let us know if you were inspired by this post when you plan with us and we can offer special perks at both of the Fairmont properties — such as extended check in/out hours, a room upgrade if available; $100 CAD food and beverage credit (Banff) OR a professional portrait taken during stay with souvenir photo frame (Lake Louise)! We’re excited to help plan your ‘escape’ to the Canadian Rockies!

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